Today, manufacturers are in the race to produce the finest quality products at the lowest possible cost. Manufacturing Execution Systems (MESs) are an integral part of this pursuance for efficiency. This being the case, implementing MES itself, poses challenges such as hardware connectivity and software integration. In addition, lack of skilled human resources to handle critical applications can also come in the way of a successful MES installation. “We address these challenges by providing browser-based software that can be easily connected to existing equipment and configured to achieve the results required on the plant floor,” says Edward Dickson, President and CEO, Tutelar Technologies.

With global headquarters in Ontario, Canada, Tutelar Technologies provides products and services that cater to manufacturing companies' drive for ‘Zero Defect Manufacturing’. The company’s MES and Warehouse Management offering, Ujigami software communicates with each device via its native protocol, irrespective of being proprietary or compliant to one of the new standards. “A user can configure a new device by filling in an easy-to-complete web page. Companies need to connect the device to their Ethernet backbone and Ujigami connects to the device in real-time,” delineates Dickson.

Upon realizing that simply reporting results would not create a 'zero defect' environment, Tutelar engineered the whole suite of products to manage and control all operators, machines, and devices in real time. Ujigami Product Directed Manufacturing System, Ujigami Warehouse Management System, Ujigami Material Control Software, and Ujiboard Manufacturing Collaboration System make up the entire Ujigami software suite. “The Product Directed Manufacturing methodology uses each part's unique process flow diagram and control plan to create the best 'roadmap' to manufacture each individual part,” notes Dickson. The solution manages and controls each machine and device to manufacture parts correctly, monitoring actual results to verify conformance to specifications desired for various needs. “Because Ujigami is so tightly integrated with the machines and devices on the plant floor, there is transparency of events on the shop floor,” adds Dickson.

With these offerings, Tutelar Technology establishes a firm footing in the MES landscape led by a management team with a thorough technical insight. “Every employee at Tutelar has real manufacturing experience. The management team alone encompasses decades of senior manufacturing leadership,” reiterates Dickson. “The drive for excellence and delivering the next generation of manufacturing is the primary contributor to the success of Tutelar Technologies.” Dickson feels the speed, flexibility and Zero Defect manufacturing with which his company operates, separates them from their competitors.

An example explaining the effectiveness of the solution that the company offers is an automobile parts manufacturer. Before launching a new model, the auto parts maker required a new component assembly line for 21 operators, automated machines, inspection stations, and robotics. After reviewing multiple vendors, the client chose Tutelar, because of its ease of re-configurability and the totally browser based aspect. “We worked directly with the equipment vendors to create an integrated plant floor environment in six weeks,” recounts Dickson.

The drive for excellence and delivering the next generation of manufacturing is the primary contributor to the success of Tutelar Technologies

In terms of innovation, Tutelar Technologies continually invests in hardware connectivity and user interfaces. “When new manufacturing hardware (cameras, robotics, AGVs, devices) is developed, we ensure Ujigami can communicate with them in real-time,” states Dickson. “We will soon launch a plant floor Collaboration White Board Software that replaces traditional manufacturing reporting with a highly interactive 60 inch touch-screen monitor interface,” concludes Dickson.